I wasn't. If it was bad news HCP would have led with it in the title, this way it left a little suspense. It sucks typing with a mouse.
From this fan's perspective, I'd rather trade our aging assets for future assets while our aging assets have some value, than make and get killed in the playoffs this season. From the Vulcan's and perhaps Paul Allen's perspective, how many millions of dollars does the franchise make, if the team squeeks into the playoffs? Consider too that Miller and Camby are still tradeable assets after this season -- this summer or next season.
Exactamundo. This season is gutty and the players are showing a lot of heart, but ultimately it's a lost campaign. Holding onto the vets would be the equivalent of a symbolic bayonet charge against a line of cannons. Might as well make a tactical retreat and live to fight another day (so to speak).
What is the rush in trading the vets . . . for what more draft picks (no one is really going to give up proven young talent for those guys) This fan does not want to go through another 6 year rebuilding stage and enjoys watching a vet team knowing what they have to do to get a W. It doesn't always work out that way and in the end talent wins in the NBA, but this Blazer fan has had enough youth over the last 6 years. Youth and potential is overrated. Give me a player like Camby any day of the week.
I guess it depends on how you view draft picks. KP tended to see each as filling a long-term role on the team, there's also the POV that sees those picks or the young players they represent as nothing more than assets which can be traded or kept as needed. But I think one thing is clear: This team can't afford to let Miller, Camby and Joel's contracts evaporate into the ether and end up with absolutely nothing in return once the lockout ends; flipping them for picks or TPEs or whatever is simply a means of converting them from an asset with a rapidly approaching shelf-life into one with a little more mileage.
I guess it depends on how you view it. Trading Miller for draft picks would be the worst for me becuae that means Mills or Rudy is your starting PG rest of this year. Personally I don't care if those contracts expire. I would rather watch them play and compete for the playoffs this year than pick up a draft pick like Babbit. We had a trade exception with Oden and let that expire. We have bought picks that haven't worked. Really what can we get for Joel or Miller? I'm guessing not a whole lot. I would rather let them play out their contract . . . i think Jole may end up resigning. Camby probably has the best trade value and maybe the Blazers get production guy coming off the bench for Camby . . . but talk about a player who has embrassed the community. Many teams are hoping the Blazers will drop and they can snatch the playoff spot . .. strange to see a part of a fanbase (not just you) ready to toss in the towel for better things in the future . . . especially Blazer fans who have been hearing patience and rebuilding for almost a decade now.
I think Joel is done, and I see Camby or Miller going somewhere else to maybe get a ring. They won't stay here, so basically we're letting tradable assets walk away for nothing. Whether you like it or not, we are probably looking at a couple of years of rebuilding either through the draft or through trades/free agency. We need to retool the roster. It's obvious that we have some nice pieces in Aldridge, Batum, and Matthews, but we need a point guard and we need a center. I'm not going to hinge any more hopes and dreams on Oden, so it would be good to start looking around and thinking about a new plan for the future. Camby, Miller, and Joel aren't in that future so why hold onto them?
I would say this. If I thought the Blazers had even a hint of chance of doing anything (like getting to the second round) I'd be less adamant about flipping these vets for future pieces, but hanging on to this? -- A broken, battered, undertalented, shallow team with nothing but the chance to get an 8th seed and a steam-rolling at the hands of the Lakers or the Spurs -- no thanks, there's nothing remotely interesting about seeing that. When the team's present is this off-track all they really have is looking to the future; fans not being happy about another rebuild/retooling doesn't change that, but at least this current iteration of the Blazers is in a position where they don't have to strip it down to the studs like they did with the Bonzi-Sheed-Pippen team.
It just reminds me of when we still had Strickland, Sabonis, and Cliffy on the 95-96 team, but we weren't good enough to really beat anyone, so the next year Whitsitt blew it up and traded for Rasheed and Rider and signed Kenny Anderson in the offseason. We got considerably younger but it set us up for the runs that we made in the late 90's and early 2000's.
I guess some Blazer fans are ready to give up now, I don't feel taht way. I don't think you ahve to be a top 4 team in the western confernece (round 2) or it means nothing. Playoffs are a blast for many. I know for me and the friends I go to games with, it's the best time of the year. Hard to replicate that playoff feeling inside a Rose Garden during the regular season. Blazers haven't won a title in over 30 years. The NBA is a money rich system where talent seems to predominate. Posters want to talk reality but the reality is that the Blazers are unlikely going to be a top 4 team next year no matter what and to start talking championship . .. let's jsut say history is not on their side. Unless there is an obvious trade to be done, it would be disheartening for me to see the Blazers give up and trade Miller or Camby for draft picks. But reading through this thread, I understand otheres feel a different way.
Slightly different circumstances, but yup, there's a real chance here for management to strike a new course and change this team's trajectory. Cho may fail spectacularly, but the alternative of holding on to the bitter end probably leads to the same place just on a slightly different timeline.
Sure, the playoffs are fun, right up until you're getting blown the fuck out. Trust me, I was in the garden when Houston dismantled us in game one of that series. That wasn't very fun.
And which "Rasheed" do you is out there to be had. If Blazers can trade Camby and Miller for a future allstar, great I'm all for it. But I doubt they get anything more than a servicable bench player and draft picks.
For me, better than sitting home being a late lottery pick. I love playoffs games. Sucks to get blown out, kicks ass to pull an upset. Look what a playoff game did for the Seahawks. trust me I go to playoff games too and I rarely recall an atmoshpehe during teh regular season like the playffs. Maybe Laker games . . . but nothing really compares to playoff energy, IMO.
Can I point out that it is literally impossible to trade Miller and Camby for just "draft picks"? What's wrong with trying to get a young, talented player in the wrong situation for one/both of them, plus some "draft picks" as filler?
There is nothing in Cho's background that would demonstrate he's sitting around doing nothing because he's too lazy/clueless to think of a way to rebuild this team. Just because we're not seeing anything doesn't mean he's not working.
Literally impossible? If so, then how did the Nuggets dump Camby on the Clippers for nothing more than a second round pick? It's literally possible to trade a player for a pick as long as the team receiving the salaried player has the cap space to absorb his contract. So it's certainly going to limit those opportunities, but it won't eliminate them altogether. And no, there's absolutely nothing wrong with trying to get some kind of player in return ... it might be preferable.
hey hcp.... how about if LA plays you dont post for 2 weeks. if he doesnt play i wont post for 2 weeks. since you said he wont play.... how about a bet? have some guts "fams"
How bout YOU don't post either way? Unlike you, these people come on here to see the knowledge I'm droppin'. Denny has been paying me to post since the first of the year and that would be a breach of our contract.
